Intel Forms Board to Improve Automotive Cybersecurity

Intel has unveiled a new initiative designed to help the automotive industry mitigate cybersecyrity risks associated with connected automobiles, and today announced the formation of the Automotive Security Review Board (ASRB).

The new board welcomes security industry talent around the world with focus on various areas of expertise in cyber-physical systems, Intel says. ASRB will research and collaborate on auto cybersecurity technologies and products for the automobile industry and drivers. 

The chip giant has already published the first version of its white paper on automotive cybersecurity best practices and will continue to update it based on ASRB findings. The company also revealed plans to allow the ASRB to conduct research on its automotive development platforms.

The current cybersecurity products used in the automotive industry do not ensure proper car security and user data safety and further research in this area is needed. Although complex, the current onboard components cannot prevent vehicle hacking at all times, especially with cars being connected to the Internet, which opens them to remote attacks.

The consequences of attacks on vehicles, however, could be much greater than those on computers or servers, McAfee notes in a blog post. People could get hurt or killed, showing the urgent need for increasing the protection against cyber-attacks in vehicles. 

“We can, and must, raise the bar against cyberattacks in automobiles,” said Chris Young, senior vice president and general manager of Intel Security. “With the help of the ASRB, Intel can establish security best practices and encourage that cybersecurity is an essential ingredient in the design of every connected car. Few things are more personal than our safety while on the road, making the ASRB the right idea at the right time.”

Earlier this year, researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated  that in-vehicle connectivity systems could be hacked and allow a remote attacker to take control a car. Shortly after, Fiat Chrysler recalled thousands of SUVs to address the issues. The two researchers were hired by Uber in early September.

Automobiles including Corvettes, Tesla, BMW, and General Motors have been found vulnerable to cyber attacks, several researchers revealed over the summer. Although no malicious cyberattacks targeting connected vehicles have been reported yet, experts are concerned that they might appear, putting human lives at risk.

Related: Learn More at the 2015 ICS Cyber Security Conference